How to Finance Dental Work

June 15, 2018

In terms of personal improvement, prosthodontic work is one of the best investments you can make. Broken and missing teeth are not just unsightly. They are also unhealthy. These conditions increase the risk of serious gum diseases and bacterial infections.

Most people need this kind of service. Adults have thirty-two permanent teeth. By age 34, the mean number of teeth is less than 27; by age 64, the mean number drops to about 22 teeth. In other words, more people experience tooth loss earlier in life than later in life. As outlined below, most people need to finance their dental work as well. We believe that money should not be an obstacle to quality healthcare. So, we recommend several different options.

Why Is Dental Work So Expensive?

On the subject of statistics, most people are highly satisfied with every aspect of their prosthodontic work, except for the cost.

Many of these costs are beyond Dr. Stone’s control. Almost every year since 2005, medical inflation has significantly outpaced regular inflation. Over 90 percent of such inflation comes from the increasing cost of materials, such as medical devices and equipment.

Furthermore, financing dental work is a lot like financing other purchases. Cost is not the only consideration. A fly-by-night foundation repair company will probably charge less than a reputable builder. Such a purchase may work out all right, but most people shy away from these types of transactions. There is just too much risk. If you are not willing to take risks with your home, you certainly should not gamble with your health.

What Are My Options for Financing Dental Work?

Dr. Stone is a specialist in tooth replacement, a Prosthodontist, and has been placing dental implants surgically since 1991.

Cash prepayment is easier for everyone, so we try to make it as simple as possible. We usually offer cash payment discounts. Some of our patients even take out home equity loans to finance dental work. That move may seem a bit extreme, but in some instances, it could make sense. The patient only needs to borrow a little money, and the interest payments are often tax-deductible.

Dental insurance is option two, but there are some significant possible drawbacks. Many employer-sponsored plans do not pay for anything beyond preventative care, like cleanings and maybe fillings. Most insurance companies consider anything else, such as dental implants, to be cosmetic work. Even if the plan does cover all or part of these costs, there is usually a waiting period of up to a year. The company wants to collect plenty of insurance premiums before it has to pay a claim.

For those keeping score at home, option three is usually the best approach for financing dental work. We work with a dental financing provider that usually offers fast approval and low rates. You will pay more with a credit card than you would with cash, but the convenience of monthly payments usually offsets the added expense. Besides, if you pay the debt off a little faster, you can save a great deal of money on interest payments.

All the recent improvements in dental technology have unfortunately not made these treatments any cheaper. But they do give you options that were entirely unavailable just a few years ago. To see how we can improve your mouth, contact Dr. Stone for your free consultation.